Multiple-pillow case for adjustable support

ABSTRACT

A multiple-pillow case includes a rectangular flexible compartment sealed along three sides and sealable along a fourth side. The flexible compartment has opposing substantially rectangular faces. A substantially rectangular flexible material is elasticized along a first pair of its opposing edges and attached only along a second pair of its opposing edges to one of the flexible compartment faces. A first edge of the second pair of opposing edges is substantially parallel to and offset from the flexible compartment&#39;s fourth side. A second edge of the second pair of opposing edges is substantially parallel to and offset from one of the flexible compartment&#39;s three sides opposing its fourth side. Each edge of the first pair of opposing edges is substantially parallel to one of the flexible compartment&#39;s three sides adjacent to its fourth side. The flexible material is bloused relative to the attaching face of the flexible compartment.

Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119, the benefit of priority from provisionalapplication 61/920,607, with a filing date of Dec. 24, 2013, is claimedfor this non-provisional application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to pillow cases, and more particularlyto a pillow case that holds multiple pillows to provide for theformation of an adjustable support for one who is reclining or sittingup.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Increasing amounts of time and money are being spent on productsdesigned to help people who suffer with any of a variety of physicalconditions affecting sleep. Such physical conditions include, forexample, night time acid reflux, obstructive sleep apnea, snoring, andother sleep interrupting conditions. To maintain good quality sleep aswell as help reduce the symptoms and consequences of these conditions,individuals often resort to sleeping in an inclined or semi-recumbentposition. Sleeping on an incline is a well-accepted, natural-remedyapproach suggested by medical doctors to their patients affected byepisodes of interrupted sleep due to night time reflux and other sleepdisorders.

Methods used to achieve inclined positions during night time sleepinginclude stacking bed pillows, sleeping on foam wedge pillows, orpurchasing/using expensive specialty beds with variable inclinedpositioning capabilities. Unfortunately, stacked bed pillows, foam wedgepillows, and specialty beds have a number of drawbacks. For example,stacked pillows tend to lose their shape and position, and then can nolonger support a person trying to sleep comfortably in an inclinedposition. As a result, users must frequently gather and adjust theirpillows at night to remain elevated and comfortable. Night time acidreflux sufferers who do not maintain proper elevation at night lose thebenefits afforded by sleeping in an incline or semi-recumbent position.In general, foam wedge pillows tend to be less comfortable and userstend to slide down the foam wedge pillow at night thereby eliminatingthe benefit of sleeping in an inclined or semi-recumbent position. Thecost of specialty beds puts them out of reach of most users.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is to be an object of the present invention to provide asimple and inexpensive product that allows a user to readily achieve avariety of inclined positions for sleeping, sitting, and relaxing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a product thatallows caregiver to readily adjust a patient's inclined position.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a product thatis easily configured using conventional sleeping pillows to form a wedgeshape and provide flexibility in achieving a desired amount of inclineand comfort levels.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a productthat is easily packed/transported when traveling to hotels and otherovernight stay locations.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become moreobvious hereinafter in the specification and drawings.

In accordance with the present invention, a multiple-pillow caseincludes a flexible compartment having a substantially rectangularshape. The flexible compartment is sealed along three sides thereof andis sealable along a fourth side thereof. The flexible compartment hasopposing substantially rectangular faces. A substantially rectangularpiece of flexible material is elasticized along a first pair of opposingedges thereof and attached only along a second pair of opposing edgesthereof to one of the faces of the flexible compartment. A first edge ofthe second pair of opposing edges is substantially parallel to andoffset from the fourth side of the flexible compartment. A second edgeof the second pair of opposing edges is substantially parallel to andoffset from one of the flexible compartment's three sides that opposesthe flexible compartment's fourth side. Each edge of the first pair ofopposing edges is substantially parallel to one of the flexiblecompartment's three sides adjacent to the flexible compartment's fourthside. The substantially rectangular piece of flexible material isbloused relative to the attaching face of the flexible compartment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent upon reference to the following description of thepreferred embodiments and to the drawings, wherein correspondingreference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the severalviews of the drawings and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the front side of a multiple-pillow case inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the back side of a multiple-pillow case inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the multiple-pillow case taken alongline 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an edge of a portion of themultiple-pillow case;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the front side of the multiple-pillow caseillustrating two sleeping pillows inserted in the front compartment inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the back side of the multiple-pillow caseillustrating two sleeping pillows inserted in the back compartmentthereof in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the multiple-pillow caseillustrating a wedge shape created with multiple pillows insertedtherein;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the back side of a multiple-pillow case inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the multiple-pillow case taken alongline 9-9 in FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the front side of a multiple-pillow case inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, simultaneous reference will be made toFIGS. 1-3 where front, back, and cross-sectional views, respectively, ofa multiple-pillow case in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention are shown and are referenced generally by numeral 10. Ingeneral, case 10 is made from flexible materials (e.g., fabrics) used bythe bed clothing industry. Such materials can include, but are notlimited to, cotton or other natural fiber-based fabrics, polyester orother man-made fabrics, and combinations or blends thereof, the choiceof which is not a limitation of the present invention. The same ordifferent materials can be used to construct the various parts of case10 without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Case 10 defines a plurality of flexible compartments arranged to allowcase 10 to be configured to form an adjustable-angle wedge when aplurality of conventional sleeping pillows are inserted into theflexible compartments. In the illustrated embodiment, case 10 definestwo flexible compartments 20 and 30 where compartment 20 is a frontcompartment that provides the interface with a user and compartment 30is a back compartment that provides the wedge-angle-defining portion ofcase 10. As will be explained later below, one or more conventionalsleeping pillows (e.g., two are suitable for most individuals orapplications) will be inserted into and snugly retained by compartment20, and one or more conventional sleeping or other types of pillows willbe inserted into and loosely retained by compartment 30. The typesand/or sizes of pillows inserted into case 10 are not limitations of thepresent invention.

Flexible compartment 20 is substantially rectangular in shape.Compartment 20 is defined by a front face 21 (i.e., the face of case 10that interfaces with a user) and a back face 22. Two separate pieces offlexible material can be used for faces 21 and 22, or a single piece offolded flexible material could be used to form faces 21 and 22 withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. In either case, threesides of compartment 20 are “sealed” (e.g., formed by a fold line,stitched, adhered, etc.) and one side of compartment 20 is “sealable”(e.g., by using a zipper, snaps, buttons, VELCRO fastener strips, etc.)In the illustrated embodiment, side 23 has a zipper 24 coupled to theedges of faces 21 and 22, side 25 opposing side 23 is sealed (e.g., by afold, stitching, etc.), and opposing sides 26 and 27 that are adjacentto side 23 are also sealed (e.g., by stitching).

Flexible compartment 30 is substantially rectangular in shape. Ingeneral, compartment 30 is defined between a bloused piece of flexiblematerial 31 and the back face 22 of compartment 20. Flexible material 31is substantially rectangular in shape with two of its opposing edges 32and 33 being elasticized. For example and as shown in cross-section inFIG. 4, material 31 can be formed/stitched to form a tube at edge 32that encases an elastic band 34. A similar structure can be used at edge33. Other methods for elasticizing edges 32 and 33 can be used withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. The other twoopposing edges 35 and 36 of flexible material 31 are attached (e.g.,stitched as indicated by dashed lines 37A and 37B) to back face 22 ofcompartment 20. More specifically and for reasons that will be explainedfurther below, edge 35 is attached to back face 22 along a stitch line37 that is substantially parallel to and offset from its closest side 23of compartment 20, and edge 36 is attached to back face 22 along astitch line 37B that is substantially parallel to and offset from itsclosest side 25 of compartment 20. For exemplary embodiments of thepresent invention, the offset distance D₁ (between edge 36 and side 25)can be in the range of approximately 0.1(H) to approximately 0.25(H)where “H” is the distance between sides 23 and 25 of compartment 20 whenit has no pillows therein. The offset distance D₂ (between edge 35 andside 23) can be in the range of approximately 0.05(H) to approximately0.1(H).

Elasticized and opposing edges 32 and 33 are not attached to back face22 such that compartment 30 is accessible from either side of case 10,i.e., between back face 22 and each of opposing edges 32 and 33. Theportion of flexible material 31 between edges 32, 33, 35 and 36 blousesout from back face 22 to thereby form a baggy compartment for the loosecontainment of sleeping pillows as will be explained further below. Inthe illustrated embodiment, edge 32 is offset from side 26 ofcompartment 20 and edge 33 is offset from side 27 of compartment 20. Asa result, compartment 30 is substantially hidden from view when viewingcase 10 from front face 21. For exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention, the offset distance D₃ (between edge 32 and side 26) can bein the range of approximately 0.01(W) to approximately 0.07(W) where “W”is the distance between sides 26 and 27 of compartment 20 when it has nopillows therein. The offset distance D₄ (between edge 33 and side 27)can also be in the range of approximately 0.01(W) to approximately0.07(H). Offsets D₃ and D₄ allow compartment 30 to be sized to remainhidden behind compartment 20 while snugly capturing pillows therein suchthat a wedge formed by a pillow-filled compartment 30 remains stable.

Case 10 can also include flaps 40 and 41 coupled to compartment 20adjacent to edges 32 and 33, respectively. By way of a non-limitingexample, flaps 40 and 41 can be substantially rectangularly shaped,single pieces of folded flexible material attached (e.g., stitched) tocompartment 20 along sides 26 and 27, respectively. Flaps 40 and 41 aresized to span or slightly exceed the openings to compartment 30 definedby edges 32 and 33. The width “W_(E)” of flaps 40 and 41 should be largeenough to allow flaps 40 and 41 to conceal pillows inserted intocompartment 30 via the openings defined at edges 32 and 33,respectively. In this way, flaps 40 and 41 form a visual cover for theends of compartment 30 when one or more pillows are inserted therein.

In use of the illustrated case 10, two sleeping pillows are insertedinto compartment 20 via (the zippered) side 23 thereof. For example, andas shown in FIG. 5, the two sleeping pillows 100 are arrangedside-by-side in compartment 20 with the long sides thereof beingsubstantially parallel to sides 26 and 27 of compartment 20. Referringnow to FIG. 6, two additional sleeping pillows 102 are inserted incompartment 30 using either (or both) of the compartment's openingsdefined along elasticized opposing edges 32 and 33. The long sides ofpillows 102 will generally be substantially parallel to attached edges35 and 36. Pillows 102 can be adjusted within compartment 30 such that aresulting wedge-like support is defined for compartment 20 as best seenin FIG. 7. The adjustable wedge configuration is made possible by theoffset between stitched edge 36 and side 25 of compartment 20 as well asthe bagginess of bloused flexible material 31. The angle and firmness ofthe wedge can be adjusted by adjusting the positions, numbers, and/ortypes of pillows 102 in compartment 30. By making compartment 30 readilyaccessible along edges 32 and 33, pillows 102 can be inserted/adjustedfrom either side of case 10. The bloused nature of flexible material 31simplifies the adding/adjusting of pillows 102 to compartment 30 tochange the wedge angle. The elasticized feature of edges 32 and 33combined with the bloused nature of flexible material 31 retains pillows102 in their inserted/adjusted position.

The advantages of the present invention are numerous. Themultiple-pillow case is a simple and inexpensive approach to providing areadily-adjusted wedge for reclining and sitting. The case usesconventional sleeping pillows so that the filled case can provide thelevel of support, firmness, softness, etc., needed and desired usingpillows owned by the user or those provided by hotels when traveling.The pillow-filled case can also be used as a back support when sittingupright where the pillows in compartment 30 form a lumbar support. Thepillow-filled case can also be flipped over such that a pillow-filledcompartment 30 is raised vertically by a pillow-filled compartment 20 todefine an elevated wedge on which a user can recline. Themultiple-pillow case in its unfilled state is easily folded and can,therefore, be readily transported for use in overnight stay locationsaway from one's home.

Although the invention has been described relative to a specificembodiment thereof, there are numerous variations and modifications thatwill be readily apparent to those skilled in the art in light of theabove teachings. For example, FIGS. 8-9 illustrate another embodiment ofthe present invention where a multiple-pillow case 50 includes anothersubstantially rectangular flexible material 61 disposed in compartment30 to essentially divide compartment 30 into compartments 30A and 30B.Opposing edges 62 and 63 of material 61 are not attached to flexiblematerial 31, while its other opposing edges 65 and 66 are attached toflexible material 31 such that compartment 30A is defined and isaccessible along edges 62 and 63. In the illustrated example, edge 65 issubstantially coincident with edge 35 and edge 66 is offset from edge36. This allows pillow(s) 102 in compartment 30A to define the lowerportion of a support wedge, and pillow(s) 102 in compartment 30B todefine the upper portion of a support wedge.

In another embodiment of the present invention, one or more slitopenings can be provided in compartment 20 to facilitate insertion of atherapeutic device (e.g., a heating pad, ice pack, massager, etc.) intocompartment 20. For example, FIG. 10 illustrates another multiple-pillowcase 70 having two slit openings 71 and 72 placed near (e.g., within 1-3inches) sides 26 and 27, respectively, so that a therapeutic device canbe inserted into compartment 20 from either side thereof even when aperson is reclining on case 70. Slit openings could additionally oralternatively be located on back face 22 without departing from thescope of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that,within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practicedother than as specifically described.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent ofthe United States is:

1. A multiple-pillow case, comprising: a flexible compartment having asubstantially rectangular shape, said flexible compartment sealed alongthree sides thereof and sealable along a fourth side thereof, saidflexible compartment having opposing substantially rectangular faces; asubstantially rectangular piece of flexible material elasticized along afirst pair of opposing edges thereof and attached only along a secondpair of opposing edges thereof to one of said faces of said flexiblecompartment; a first edge of said second pair of opposing edges beingsubstantially parallel to and offset from said fourth side of saidflexible compartment; a second edge of said second pair of said opposingedges being substantially parallel to and offset from one of said threesides that opposes said fourth side; and each edge of said first pair ofopposing edges being substantially parallel to one of said three sidesthat is adjacent to said fourth side, wherein said substantiallyrectangular piece of flexible material is bloused relative to said oneof said faces of said flexible compartment.
 2. A multiple-pillow case asin claim 1, further comprising a zipper coupled to said flexiblecompartment at said fourth side thereof.
 3. A multiple-pillow case as inclaim 1, wherein said flexible compartment comprises at least one pieceof fabric.
 4. A multiple-pillow case as in claim 1, wherein each edge ofsaid first pair of opposing edges is offset from said one of said threesides closest thereto by an offset distance in the range ofapproximately 0.01 to approximately 0.07 of a distance defined betweentwo of said three sides that oppose one another.
 5. A multiple-pillowcase as in claim 1, further comprising a flexible flap coupled to eachsaid one of said three sides that is adjacent to said fourth side, eachsaid flexible flap being substantially aligned with one said edge ofsaid first pair of opposing edges of said flexible material.
 6. Amultiple-pillow case as in claim 1, wherein said offset associated withsaid second edge is in the range of approximately 0.1 to approximately0.25 of a distance defined between said fourth side and said one of saidthree sides that opposes said fourth side.
 7. A multiple-pillow case asin claim 1, further comprising at least one slit opening in one of saidfaces of said flexible compartment.
 8. A multiple-pillow case,comprising: a first pillow compartment having a substantiallyrectangular shape and adapted to snugly hold two sleeping pillows in aside-by-side relationship, said first pillow compartment sealed alongthree sides thereof and sealable along a fourth side thereof, said firstpillow compartment having opposing substantially rectangular faces; asubstantially rectangular piece of fabric having an elastic coupledthereto along a first pair of opposing edges thereof and attached onlyalong a second pair of opposing edges thereof to one of said faces ofsaid first pillow compartment; a first edge of said second pair ofopposing edges being substantially parallel to and offset from saidfourth side of said first pillow compartment; a second edge of saidsecond pair of said opposing edges being substantially parallel to andoffset from one of said three sides that opposes said fourth side; andeach edge of said first pair of opposing edges being substantiallyparallel to one of said three sides that is adjacent to said fourthside, wherein said substantially rectangular piece of fabric is blousedrelative to said one of said faces of said first pillow compartment tothereby define a second pillow compartment accessible between said oneof said faces of said first pillow compartment and each of said firstpair of opposing edges, wherein said second pillow compartment isadapted to receive, loosely hold, and provide for the adjustment of aplurality of sleeping pillows therein.
 9. A multiple-pillow case as inclaim 8, further comprising a zipper coupled to said first pillowcompartment at said fourth side thereof.
 10. A multiple-pillow case asin claim 8, wherein said first pillow compartment comprises at least onepiece of fabric.
 11. A multiple-pillow case as in claim 8, wherein eachedge of said first pair of opposing edges is offset from said one ofsaid three sides closest thereto by an offset distance in the range ofapproximately 0.01 to approximately 0.07 of a distance defined betweentwo of said three sides that oppose one another.
 12. A multiple-pillowcase as in claim 8, further comprising a flexible flap coupled to eachsaid one of said three sides that is adjacent to said fourth side, eachsaid flexible flap being substantially aligned with one said edge ofsaid first pair of opposing edges of said fabric.
 13. A multiple-pillowcase as in claim 8, wherein said offset associated with said second edgeis in the range of approximately 0.1 to approximately 0.25 of a distancedefined between said fourth side and said one of said three sides thatopposes said fourth side.
 14. A multiple-pillow case as in claim 8,further comprising at least one slit opening in one of said faces ofsaid first pillow compartment.
 15. A multiple-pillow case, comprising: aflexible compartment having a substantially rectangular shape, saidflexible compartment sealed along three sides thereof and sealable alonga fourth side thereof, said flexible compartment having opposingsubstantially rectangular faces; a substantially rectangular piece offlexible material elasticized along a first pair of opposing edgesthereof, non-elasticized along a second pair of opposing edges thereof,and attached only along said second pair of opposing edges to one ofsaid faces of said flexible compartment; a first edge of said secondpair of opposing edges being substantially parallel to and offset fromsaid fourth side of said flexible compartment; a second edge of saidsecond pair of said opposing edges being substantially parallel to andoffset from one of said three sides that opposes said fourth side; eachedge of said first pair of opposing edges being substantially parallelto and offset from a closest one of said three sides that is adjacent tosaid fourth side by an offset distance in the range of approximately0.01 to approximately 0.07 of a distance defined between two of saidthree sides that oppose one another, wherein said substantiallyrectangular piece of flexible material is bloused relative to said oneof said faces of said flexible compartment; and a flexible flap coupledto each said closest one of said three sides that is adjacent to saidfourth side, each said flexible flap being substantially aligned withone said edge of said first pair of opposing edges of said flexiblematerial.
 16. A multiple-pillow case as in claim 15, further comprisinga zipper coupled to said flexible compartment at said fourth sidethereof.
 17. A multiple-pillow case as in claim 15, wherein saidflexible compartment comprises at least one piece of fabric.
 18. Amultiple-pillow case as in claim 15, wherein said offset associated withsaid second edge is in the range of approximately 0.1 to approximately0.25 of a distance defined between said fourth side and said one of saidthree sides that opposes said fourth side.
 19. A multiple-pillow case asin claim 15, further comprising at least one slit opening in one of saidfaces of said flexible compartment.